Michigan
Hartwick
Wolverines Shut Down by Hartwick in Eastern Title Game
4/25/2004 12:00:00 AM | Water Polo
LEWISBURG, Pa. -- The seventh-ranked University of Michigan water polo team fell 5-2 to No. 13 Hartwick today (Sunday, April 25) in the Eastern Championship final at Bucknell's Kinney Natatorium. The Wolverines trailed 3-1 at the half but drew within one, 3-2, by the start of the fourth period. However, Hartwick sealed the game in the fourth quarter on back-to-back goals by way of a four-meter penalty and a power play.
Michigan had a chance to take a early lead on its first possession. Julie Nisbet (Santa Barbara, Calif./Santa Barbara HS) found Sheetal Narsai (Commerce, Calif./Bell Gardens HS) alone in front of the cage, but the pass was tipped and Narsai's attempt sailed high. Hartwick took advantage, scoring on its next possession to take a 1-0 lead with 5:22 to play in the first period.
The Wolverines drew even in the final minute of the first quarter when Megan Hausmann (San Diego, Calif./Bishop's HS) executed a give-and-go with Shana Welch (Larksville, Pa./Wyoming Valley West HS) and drew a four-meter penalty on the Hawks. Narsai converted on the attempt and the game was tied at 1-1 heading into the second period.
Michigan had a number of chances to take the lead in the second quarter, but every time U-M's shot hit the post. Then, with three minutes to play before the half, Hartwick took a 2-1 lead, and the Hawks increased their advantage to two goals with a score just 16 seconds before the half. After a Michigan ejection, Hartwick's Kate Chambers caught a pass right in front of the U-M cage for the score.
The Wolverines began to mount their comeback in the third period, outscoring Hartwick 1-0 in the frame. Jo Antonsen (Agoura Hills, Calif./Agoura HS) found the back of the Hartwick cage at the 4:08 mark. Meg Knudtsen (Los Altos, Calif./St. Francis HS) found Antonsen on the left side of the net and Antonsen sent the ball cross-cage for the goal.
In the fourth quarter, the Wolverines were whistled for four ejections and one penalty, leading to numerous opportunities for Hartwick. The Hawks cashed in on two of those chances to clinch the victory. Sheri Johnson converted a penalty shot with 3:24 to play in the game and then less than 30 seconds later, Chambers scored on the power play to make the score 5-2. Michigan earned two ejections in the final 17 seconds of play, but the game had been decided.
With the loss, Michigan finishes its season with a 30-9 overall record. Hartwick earned the CWPA's spot in the NCAA Final Four, scheduled for May 8-9 in Palo Alto, Calif.
GAME SUMMARY
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
| Hartwick | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
| Michigan | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
Scoring
Hartwick Goals: Sheri Johnson 2, Kate Chambers 2, Colleen Santos. Michigan Goals: Sheetal Narsai, Jo Antonsen. Ejections: Hartwick 7, Michigan 10.
2004 Eastern Championship All-Tournament Team
FIRST TEAM
Diana Livermore, Brown
Kate Chambers, Hartwick
Krista Peterson, Indiana
Sheri Johnson, Hartwick
Shana Welch, Michigan
Betsey Armstrong, Michigan
SECOND TEAM
Julie Nisbet, Michigan
Jeanie Ward-Waller, Brown
Meg Blitzer, Bucknell
Ashleigh Jacobs, Hartwick
Teresa Codini, Harvard
Kandace Waldthaler, Indiana
Amy Brunton, Hartwick
Most Valuable Player: Sheri Johnson, Hartwick
Richard Hunkler Coach of the Year: Alan Huckins, Hartwick
Q U O T E S
Michigan Head Coach Matt Anderson
On the game ... "The stats will show that we had some good shots. We got good shots out of two meters, but we just weren't able to finish. They weren't being blocked, we just didn't finish. Three or four people inside of four meters were facing the cage and they hit the bar. It hits a corner and falls out. We did what we needed to do. We got good shots. If the cage is a little wider either way, we score eight or nine goals."
On if the loss can be seen as a building block ... "We deserved to be here. The reality is that we play a West Coast style of game. Indiana last night played a West Coast style of game. Unfortunately that style did not work this weekend on the East Coast. Hartwick's type of game is what was played this weekend. The type of game that Michigan or Indiana plays wasn't called. The difference today is that Hartwick had a two-to-one ratio on ejections. Last night, Hartwick had a three-to-one ratio on ejections against Indiana. That doesn't happen, for the most part, when you are playing two Top 10 teams. Give them credit. They play a style of water polo that was best suited to win the Eastern regional."
N O T E S
Michigan finishes the season with a 30-9 overall record, the best in the program's history in terms of most victories, fewest losses and winning percentage (.769).
Michigan was whistled for 10 ejections against Hartwick. The Wolverines have been called for 10 or more fouls only four times in their 39 games.
Contact: Paul Dickerson (734) 763-4423
